Page 81 of A Home for Harmony

Scarlet pouted. “That isn’t much help.”

“Ask me what you want,” Harmony said. “I’ll try to answer, but maybe I’ll just start by saying I really like your father. I’m not trying to be a parent to you, but I’d like to be your friend, though I understand if that is asking a lot.”

“I like you,” Scarlet said. “You’re cool. My father isnotso cool, so maybe you can bring some of that into his life.”

Micah closed one eye at his daughter. “I’m too old to change.”

“I don’t believe that,” Harmony said, “but asking you to change is the last thing I’d do.”

No way she was going to say he’d already changed from when she’d first dated him.

He was more open, giving and caring with her. Even funny.

“I tell Dad he’s not too old to change, but I’m just a kid and he doesn’t believe me.”

“Brat,” he said. “Sit down. Breakfast is almost done.”

He pulled the casserole out of the oven and set it out to cool, then moved and made another cup of coffee and one for Harmony too. He even brought the creamer over and poured it in.

When Micah walked back to the fridge, Scarlet said, “I should have realized something was going on when I saw that in there but just thought Dad used it. And he never waited on my mother like that.”

“I’m not sure I’d call it waiting on Harmony,” he said. “I gave her a fresh cup of coffee. You’re making a bigger deal out of this.”

Because he knew she drank two cups by watching her more than anything.

If that didn’t show how considerate and observant he was, she didn’t know what did.

Scarlet looked at her and whispered, “No, I’m not. Am I?”

She shook her head no and smiled, then reached her hand over. “I think your father and I have a good thing, but it’s only been a few months. He might be a bit more concerned about our age gap than me, but it will take time. He’s very busy at work and has an important job. I’ve got a lot going on in my life too. No one is making plans and we are taking it day by day. I don’t want you to worry or think I’m taking your dad away from you. I’m not. I’m actually jealous of the relationship you’ve got with him. You’re a very lucky girl and I’d do nothing to damage that.”

Scarlet put her bottom lip out, her eyes a little glossy. “Thank you. I wouldn’t ask that, but I don’t want my father to feel like he can’t have a life because I’d feel that way either.”

“Please don’t,” she said. “I’ve got no problem sharing my number with you and you can reach out and talk to me anytime you want. I want you to feel comfortable with your father and my relationship too.”

“You know,” he said, “I’m still in the room and not the maid just cooking and serving.”

She and Scarlet both laughed. “But you look so cute cooking breakfast for us,” Scarlet said. “Dad won’t wear the apron I got him.”

Harmony’s eyes grew wide. “I might have to see that.”

Scarlet got up and found it in the cabinet and brought it over. It was black and said, “Best Flippin’ Dad Ever,” with a spatula on it.

“That is very cute,” she said. “Do you ever grill?”

Scarlet grinned. “They had one that said Grill Daddy on it, but this was better.”

“You two might be dangerous together,” he said. “Both of you eat and stop talking so I can get some peace.”

Scarlet turned to her. “His tone gets like that when he’s annoyed.”

Harmony winced. When Micah sat, he was next to her and she reached under the table to squeeze his leg in apology.

He put his hand on hers and just ran his thumb over her knuckles softly.

Yeah, more bark than bite, but he didn’t want to have his daughter see it.

She didn’t know it was possible for one moment to make you fall in love, but she was positive it happened just now.